News and Reviews - Spring 08 Page 6

Book Celebrates Brant Inn

It was demolished almost 40 years ago, and yet even today many people have fond memories of the time spent at the Brant Inn, that famous nightclub spot on Burlington’s Lake Ontario waterfront.

The history of the Brant Inn goes back to the early 1900s, but it was the time under the
ownership of John Murray Anderson that brought fame not only to the Brant Inn, but also
to the then tiny community of Burlington as the Dominion Radio Network broadcast the sounds of Guy Lombardo, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington and scores of other big name bands across Canada on a weekly basis.

But it was not just the big bands. Names such as Fats Waller, Sophie Tucker, Ella Fitzgerald, Andy Williams, Liberace and many other stars played the Brant Inn through the Depression, the Second World War, and on into the ‘50s and ‘60s before television, an aging building and a new rage known as rock and roll spelled the end to the popular spot.

The excitement of the Brant Inn has come alive once again through the pages of a new book, Brant Inn Memories, a project of The Burlington Historical Society and authored by former Hamilton Spectator entertainment writer Stewart Brown. Stewart has an intimate knowledge of the Brant Inn dating back to its glory years in the early 1940s as his father played saxophone in some of those early bands with a young Stewart often being taken along for the trip to Burlington and the Brant Inn. Brant Inn Memories is available in bookstores for $24.95 as well as from Chapters/Indigo online or direct from the publisher
at www.canadianheritagebooks.com.

Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life
proud to support arts and culture in Burlington

Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life understand that the arts are more than a canvas for passion, creativity, and inspiration – they’re an important part of Canadian culture. As a Performing Arts Burlington Director’s Circle sponsor, the companies
are helping to provide greater opportunities for area residents to participate in and explore local theatre, music and dance. “The workshops, resources and promotion provided by Performing Arts Burlington are not just important from a creative and cultural perspective,
they’re an important part of building a stronger, more vibrant local community,” says Great-West Life Regional Director Rick Giuliani. “Through our support of Performing Arts Burlington, we know we’re helping a large and diverse membership from the Burlington and Hamilton performing arts communities.”

Performing Arts Burlington is one of more than 100 arts and cultural organizations across Canada to receive support from The Key to Giving™, the national corporate citizenship program of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. Through The Key to Giving™, the companies also contribute to a wide range of non-profit, charitable and community organizations across the country in the areas of health and wellness, education, social services and civic initiatives.

The focus, Giuliani explains, is on a collaborative approach to building stronger communities. “In term of arts and culture, we look for opportunities to help organizations
build and maintain healthy, sustainable futures,” he says. “With a focus on community outreach, active participation, youth education and audience development, we’re helping to broaden the audience for arts and culture while contributing to its long-term sustainability.”
Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life serve the financial security needs of more than 12 million people across Canada.

Spring 2008 Edition Confessions of a Gala Queen
Book celebrates Brant Inn
Storytelling unites the world
What's on: Music, Dance, Drama

Corporate Sponsors